The Candle That Burned Upward

Birbal challenged the court’s idea of ‘height’ with a candle that grew shorter but climbed higher.

A contest to place a light at the greatest height ended with ladders and drama. Birbal set a candle on the floor under a polished brass plate hung above; as the wick burned, the flame rose to kiss the plate. ‘Height,’ he said, ‘is not only where you stand but where you reach.’ The plate rang softly like applause.